Post by redbirdman on Apr 4, 2019 21:43:53 GMT -6
Local Sports
Mar 30, 2019
Kim North
knorth@theintelligencer.net
AMARILLO, Tex. — The window for Nate Davis to elevate his game to the next level is shrinking quite quickly. The 31-year-old knows that, too.
“I’m trying to expand my game and maybe get a look in the CFL (Canadian Football League) when it starts up this season,” the 2006 Bellaire graduate said earlier this week via telephone. “I want to put my name out there.”
Davis, who re-wrote the Ball State University passing record book during his three seasons in Muncie, Ind., was drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He was a member of the team from 2009-2010 before having off-season or practice squad stints with Seattle (2011) and Indianapolis (2011).
The strong-armed Davis is in his eighth season with the Amarillo Venom of the Champions Indoor Football League. He won a pair of Lone Star Football League championships in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he was named the co-Offensive MVP of the LSFL. He earned first-team CIF Southern Conference two years ago.
The 6-2, 225-pounder started this season in grand fashion last Saturday in a 63-57 win against the Salinas Liberty. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 290 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for a 1-yard score.
Coming out of college, a lot of football gurus said Davis had too powerful of a right arm to play in arena football. He has proven those doubters, who were many, wrong.
“That was the one thing I tried to perfect. It’s all about touch indoors. You don’t have to throw a frozen rope every time,” he explained. “You still have to read the defenses, but a lot of time you’re throwing to a spots. That’s where I have adjusted really well.”
Davis isn’t in the business not to win.
“You always want to win rings,” he noted. “That should be everyone’s goal. That’s why you play the games.”
Although the Venom got off to a 1-0 start, Davis said there is still plenty of work ahead if the team is to reach its ultimate goal of a CFL title.
“We’re still a work in progress. You have new guys come in every year and need to learn the offense, but we have a few guys back from last year.”
One of those guys — former West Texas A&M wideout Xavier Amey — caught 11 passes for 191 yards and all but one of Davis’s TD tosses.
“He’s our speed guy,” Davis advised. “He runs good routes and has good hands.”
Veteran Raymond Johnson is another one of the Venom’s top receiving threats.
“He has been here since I’ve been here,” Davis said. “He’s another fast guy with good hands.”
Davis also praised the work of the offensive line, which rarely gets its due justice.
“They make everything go. They give me the time to make my reads and decisions on where and who to throw the ball to,” he said. “We’ve got two guys back from last year, but we do have a new center.”
When asked if the West Virginia Roughriders had reached out to him prior to their season-opening victory last weekend, Davis replied, “No, but a whole lot of fans did. I’ve got a life down here. I’ve got a house, a lady and a good job.”
The Venom have a stern test tonight as they travel to Albuquerque, N.M., to meet the defending champion Duke City Gladiators (1-0) in an early season Southern Division showdown.
For Venom fans, games are available live on the Pluto TV app on channels 220-223.
